All articles tagged with #stephen a smith
Stephen A. Smith argues UNC’s 19-point first-round collapse to VCU in the NCAA Tournament was worse than Duke’s Elite Eight defeat to UConn, noting it cost Hubert Davis his job and had greater implications for UNC’s program, while Duke’s loss was painful but didn’t threaten its coaching future.
OutKick writer Bobby Burack argues that Stephen A. Smith shows thin command of sports across MLB, college basketball, NFL, and beyond, citing a drawn‑out UNC coaching suggestion for Kenny Smith, misstatements about players, and criticism from peers like Jeff Goodman and Josh Hart. The piece suggests ESPN pays him for star power rather than expertise and notes moments of disengagement (solitaire during the NBA Finals) as the busy spring sports calendar—NCAA Tournament, MLB, Masters, and the NFL Draft—approaches.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith blasted Art Rooney II after the NFLPA ranked the Steelers 32nd, criticizing ownership for leadership and facilities issues, and arguing the franchise has fallen short of its historic standards as questions swirl around coaching decisions and the team’s direction.
Stephen A. Smith stands by his comments linking the FBI's NBA gambling probe to political influence, despite criticism from Kash Patel, as multiple NBA figures and others are implicated in a major gambling scandal involving organized crime and arrests of players and coaches.
Stephen A. Smith criticized Jimmy Kimmel for his controversial remarks about President Donald Trump's reaction to Charlie Kirk's death, which sparked outrage and led to Kimmel's show being canceled. Fans are divided over the comments, with some defending the truth and others questioning the humor and appropriateness of the remarks.
Molly Qerim resigned from ESPN's 'First Take' after 10 years, leading to speculation about her replacement. Potential candidates include Stephen A. Smith, Courtney Cronin, Chris Russo, Monica McNutt, Shae Cornette, Charly Arnolt, and Christine Williamson, as the show prepares for a new era following her departure.
Stephen A. Smith responded to Michelle Obama's comments comparing ESPN's sports coverage to reality TV, expressing disagreement and feeling 'salty' about her remarks, while also addressing her political comments and voting stance.
Michelle Obama referenced sports and reality TV drama in her podcast, prompting Stephen A. Smith to respond with a lengthy personal grievance about her comments on voting and his feelings towards her, highlighting the ongoing media and political drama.
Stephen A. Smith expresses disappointment over Jon Jones' retirement from UFC without unifying the heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall, criticizing Jones for not taking the fight that fans wanted to see and emphasizing the importance of fighters handling their challenges for the audience.
Kevin Durant subtly criticized ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for playing solitaire during the NBA Finals, responding to a viral photo with a humorous jab. Smith acknowledged multitasking during a timeout, but Durant's comment added a playful edge amid ongoing trade rumors involving Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Michelle Beadle criticized Stephen A. Smith after he replaced her on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, citing longstanding animosity and feeling blindsided by the move. Beadle and Smith have a history of conflict, notably over Smith's comments on domestic violence involving Ray Rice. Smith announced his new SiriusXM shows, while Beadle plans to leave her current contract, and the feud continues to unfold publicly.
Michelle Beadle expressed her frustration and disappointment after being blindsided by her show's replacement on SiriusXM by Stephen A. Smith, with whom she has a contentious history due to past comments on domestic violence. Despite her feelings, she remains professional and plans to continue reporting until her contract ends, reflecting on her experience and the state of sports media.
ESPN analysts Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith clashed over Alabama's inclusion in the College Football Playoff rankings over Miami. Finebaum defended Alabama's spot, citing their stronger resume and performance against top teams, while Smith argued against Alabama's inclusion, though he conceded he was more anti-Alabama than pro-Miami. The debate highlights differing opinions on the criteria for playoff selection.
ESPN and Stephen A. Smith are negotiating a potential six-year, $120 million contract, which would make Smith the highest-paid on-air personality at ESPN without a licensing deal. While reports suggest a deal is close, Smith has denied this, emphasizing his discretion in contract talks. The contract, if finalized, would include contributions from Disney Entertainment and ESPN's sports gambling arm. Smith currently earns $12 million annually, and the new deal could see him earning nearly $20 million per year.
Stephen A. Smith distanced himself from Jimmy Kimmel's emotional reaction to Donald Trump's election win, stating that he would not have cried over the result. Smith, who is under the same corporate umbrella as Kimmel, emphasized that he foresaw Trump's victory and praised his economic policies before COVID-19. He suggested that Kimmel, as a late-night host, should have aimed for humor rather than despair. Smith also criticized Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama for alienating voters and clarified that he did not vote for Trump.